anybody real good at getting bulkheads to not leak?

[goodreeef]

I have plumbed houses for years ,but bulk heads have always given me trouble. I believe the rubber seal is getting pinched because the flexible spa pvc I am using, is a little stiff and stressing the seal. At least i have seen this in plumbing houses around shower drains. There we would just hand tighten and use plumbers putty(great stuff) .

 

 

If any body lives in the area and could come by tomorrow, I would really appreciate it.  

 

 

 

I am plumbing my 300dd marine land.

 

[wangspeed]

Use silicone to help seal things up, and don't over tighten. The silicone should also help if you want to take it back apart one day.

 

 

--

Warren

[Djplus1]

Is your o ring on the flange side? It should be, regardless if its on the inside or outside of your tank.

[goodreeef]

i solved the issue(i was over tightening). The trick for me was to fill overflows gradually and tighten a little if there were leaks, that way you only tighten as needed.

[zygote2k]

Make sure the rubber washer is on the water side of the bulkhead. Never put it between the nut and the glass or it will leak.

[ridetheducati]

... and never use tools to tighten.  Hand tighten only.

[zygote2k]

... and never use tools to tighten.  Hand tighten only.

not true sir.

I always use Channellocks or a big socket to tighten them. In the case of S80 fittings used on thicker than 1/2" glass/acrylic, you're not going to be able to tighten it by hand with enough force to ensure that there will be no leaks. When using S40 fittings and thin material, you just need to be careful when tightening or you can actually crack the bulkhead.

[Jon Lazar]

The gasket should always be between the flange and the glass.  The gasket does not go between the glass and the nut.

 

Depending on how you orient the bulkhead, the gasket can either be on the wet side, or the dry side.  Doesn't matter, so long as the gasket is between the flange and the glass.

[Djplus1]

The gasket should always be between the flange and the glass.  The gasket does not go between the glass and the nut.

 

Depending on how you orient the bulkhead, the gasket can either be on the wet side, or the dry side.  Doesn't matter, so long as the gasket is between the flange and the glass.

That's what I said!

[zygote2k]

Bulkheads are supposed to be installed so that the threaded portion is on the dry side but theoretically they can be used in either configuration. Having the threaded portion in the water tends to make the threads get clogged with growths or detritus making it that much harder to tighten/loosen the nut. It's also much harder to get your hand into an overflow box that's filled with calcareous growth to tighten a nut without shredding your fingers.